ALTHOUGH Cambridge Audio has already showed off its Minx Xi digital music system at recent events, its website now has a nice presentation on what this is all about. Here’s some of the lowdown and a video preview.
The lifestyle audio trend has taken a new direction, and it’s making its way into audiophile territory, thanks to adoption by familiar UK names like Naim, Linn, NAD and Cambridge.
Essentially, this is an all-in-one box (well, sort of) offering analogue and digital inputs, along with an onboard amplifier, DAC and Ethernet/WiFi/Bluetooth streaming capabilities. Did we say all-in-one? Well, you do have to add a pair of speakers (and a CD player, if you’re still using one of those ancient things…)
The compact Minx Xi (we call it Minxee, and we’re sticking to this) is a system designed to handle your music collection and preferences in all possible manners available today.
You can stream from your smartphone and tablet, or home network… and welcome to the infinite world of Internet radio – some 20,000-plus of them! Plus, the Minx Xi goes up to 24-bit/96kHz in resolution and is compatible with a variety of formats.
There’s also a free Cambridge app available for enhanced control over your music. Additionally, pushed firmware updates for the Minx Xi ensure it stays current.
The onboard amp is a Class AB design, while the DAC is driven by a Wolfson WM8728 chip – the approach appears to be asynchronous, to reduce jitter in digital audio transmissions.
Wired connectivity hasn’t been left out – the Minx Xi features two USB ports (that will charge your ‘phone or tab), and two digital and three analogue inputs. There’s also a subwoofer output to supplement the compact speakers Cambridge foresees most users will deploy with the Minx Xi.
Now, check out the video presentation:
